SCARY STORIES Getting Re-released

I didn’t know they’d ever been NOT released, honestly. A couple’a years back, my lovely better half bought me a complete collection for Christmas. It came complete with all the original artwork. This latter, provided by artist Stephen Gammel, is the true selling point of the books. The stories are simple–interesting, but simple–and it is doubtful they alone can account for the success of the series. It’s the amazingly creepy artwork that really got these books over, and that keeps them selling. Apparently, though, there were some books sold where Gammel’s artwork had been replaced with drawings by artist Brett Hellquist, the guy who did the artwork for the A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS books. The art in those is fine in its own right, but SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK is Gammel’s, all Gammel’s, and nobody’s renderings could ever replace his in the hearts of the fans. Publisher Harper Collins is now re-releasing the books with Gammel’s art featured once more.

I don’t know how I managed to miss these books when I was a kid. They came out in the 80s, and I was a kid in the 80s. Maybe it was because I lived in repressive Alabama and the books were just TOO scary, and some church lady somewhere in the State had complained. I dunno. I discovered the books as an adult. I couldn’t appreciate them any more than I do, though, not even if I had grown up reading them. I think they’re timeless.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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